Handle for manual percussion tools

ABSTRACT

Handle for manual percussion tools having a metal tube covered with plastic cases of varying rigidity which affect different areas of the tube. The tube constitutes the core of the handle and has a preferably elliptic section with two coaxial portions of approximately the same length and different width and near the free end of the narrower portion there is a deformation which affects the lateral surface. The portion of the tube of greater section receives a dismountable casing shaped for manual gripping of the handle. The portion of the tube of lesser section immovably receives a rigid plastic covering preferably of acetate, having a graded extreme area of lesser dimensions than the rest and has the general shape of a rectangular truncated pyramid concealing the deformation.

United States Patent [1 1 Echeverria Dec. 18, 1973 HANDLE FOR MANUAL PERCUSSION TOOLS [76] Inventor: Nicolas Guerrico Echeverria,

[52] US. Cl. 145/61 H, 145/29 R, 306/32,

306/33 [51] Int. Cl. 825g l/l0, B25g 3/28 [58] Field of Search 145/29 R, 29 B, 61 R,

145/61 A, 61 C, 61 H, 61 J, 61 K, 61F, 61 M; 16/116 R, 110 R; 306/32, 33; 273/67 R, 72 R, 72 A, 73 R, 63 H, 73 .I, 81 R, 81.5, 82

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,754,863 7/1956 Yearley 145/29 B 3,083,968 4/1963 Takahashi 273/73 R 1,518,259 12/1924 Filiareault 145/29 R 2,184,985 12/1939 Vaughan 145/29 B X 2,806,230 9/1957 Mcsko 145/29 R X 3,175,232 3/1965 Stowell 145/29 RX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 807,893 l/1959 Great Britain 306/33 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Plumb, advertisement in Popular Science Sept. 1959, page 207 Primary Examiner--Othell M. Simpson Assistant ExaminerMark S. Bicks Attorney-E. F. Wenderoth, et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Handle for manual percussion tools having a metal tube covered with plastic cases of varying rigidity which affect different areas of the tube. The tube constitutes the core of the handle and has a preferably elliptic section with two coaxial portions of approximately the same length and different width and near the free end of the narrower portion there is a deformation which affects the lateral surface. The portion of the tube of greater section receives a dismountable casing shaped for manual gripping of the handle. The portion of the tube of lesser section immovably receives a rigid plastic covering preferably of acetate, having a graded extreme area of lesser dimensions than the rest and has the general shape of a rectangular truncated pyramid concealing the deformation.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures The present invention relates to a handle for manual percussion tools such as hammers, mallets, hatchets,

etc. 1

As is known, most handles for hammers or similar tools are customarily made of wood and are in consequence relatively fragile and susceptible to wear, particularly in the area where they are fitted to the striking head.

On the other hand, the wood constituting such traditional handles is effected by changes in environmental temperatures so that if the stated environment is humid, the handle expands and if, on the contrary, it is very dry and warm, the handle contracts to the point that the head of the hammer or similar tool is loosened or ejected from the corresponding end of the handle.

At the same time, the wood utilized for making the handles is not always sufficiently dry or seasoned, in which case, if drying proceeds once the percussion head is put in place, this may also lead toloosening thereof precisely because the wood contracts as it becomes seasoned.

To avoid these drawbacks it has been proposed to utilize steel handles, but these have the drawback that due to the non-elastic materials involved, when the head is introduced into the corresponding end of the handle, it becomes permanently deformed and in consequence can also easily be separated from the handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to prevent occurrence of such problems in handles known to date. It represents advantages over materials previously usedwhich, as stated, are generally of wood or iron, since it is constituted on the basis of a steel-tube covered with elasticmaterial.

At the same time the steel tube has special structural features in that it has a generally elliptic section. Also, at given areas along the length of the tube which will be the core of the handle, there are formed stepped portions or reductions.

A dismountable casing of a sufficiently elastic plastic is placed on that portion of the handle which will constitute the area for gripping the tool. A covering of rigid or thermosetting material is placed over the remainder of the tube. Simultaneously, the striking orpercussion' head is installed with the aid of a wedge which, when inserted into the interior of the'free extreme of the tube which is the core of the handle, will expand a restriction provided near such end where the striking head is fitted. Assembly is complemented by pouring a plastic type paste or similar material in the space remaining between the extreme of the handle and" the striking head itself. Naturally, this paste is-designed to solidify,

thus forming a rigid assembly whichat alltimes will prevent removal or loosening of the striking head, for

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. Partially sectioned profile elevation of a handle made according to the invention.

FIG. 2. Side elevation of the handle shown in FIG.

FIG. 3.-- End view of the gripping area of the proposed handle.

FIG. 4. Plan view of the free end of the handle where the striking head of the hammer or similar tool in question will be fitted.

FIG. 5. Section along line VV shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As can be ascertained, the proposed handle includes a core or inner component 1 which consists of a metal tube the section of which is approximately elliptic. However, the section of this tube is not uniform. That is to say, it has two coaxial portions of approximately the same length, although the dimensions of respective sections are'different, the lesser part being referenced 3 in the figures. Note that portion 1 of the metal tube is joined to portion 3 through a stepped portion 2.

On the other hand, near the free end of the narrower section 3 the tube is deformed inwardly to for a deformation or construction 4. Between the deformation and the free end of the tube, the tube forms a section 5 of the same configuration as section 3 of which it is a continuation.

Over the tube area referenced 1, that is to say as far as the stepped portion 2, there is provided a casing 6 which may be dismountable and preferably of P.V.C. It will be shaped so as to enable gripping and handling of the tool in question.

Note that the indicated casing 6 does not extend to the stepped portion 2. The remainder of the metal tube, specifically part 3 is provided with a covering of rigid material 7, preferably of acetate.

Prior to'the extreme upper end of the handle thus formed, the covering of rigid material 7 is tapered to form a portion 11 having the general shape of a rectangular based truncated pyramid. Portion l1 conceals the deformation or constriction 4 in the metal tube constituting the core of the handle.

Note that the stated deformation of the metal tube is made in the direction of the lesser axis of the ellipse forming the transversal section of the tube 1 so that the walls thereof actually almost meet, while in the direction of the major axis of the ellipse the tube bulges.

The striking head 9, which by way of example and by means of broken lines is shown in one of its possible shapes, is placed over the truncated portion 11. A wedge 8 is installed by giving it a blow which causes insertion of'theextreme of the wedge between the constricted walls of the deformation 4. Thus, a separation of the deformation 4' will naturally result. This will force portion 11 of the handle outwardly against head 9. Additionally a paste, preferably acetate or similar material 10, may be poured into the peripheral space between the opening in the head of the tool and the part or extreme of the handle to which the same is fitted. This will furnish the necessary filling and upon solidifying will further guarantee the assembly.

It is considered unnecessary to be more exhaustive in this description for any person expert in the matter to understand perfectly the modifications which may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A handle for manual percussion tools of the type having a striking head, said handle comprising:

a core element formed of a metal tube, said tube throughout is length having a substantially elliptical cross-section, said tube having first and second sections of substantially equal length, said first section having a larger transverse dimension than said second section, said first and second sections being joined by a stepped portion, said second section adjacent the free end thereof being deformed inwardly to form a constriction; casing formed of elastic material positioned over said first section; and covering positioned over the entire length of said second section, said covering being formed of a material having a rigidity different from that of said elastic material of said casing.

2. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing is removably positioned over said first section.

3. A handle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastic material of said casing is P.V.C.

4. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering is immovably positioned over said second section.

5. A handle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said material of said covering is acetate.

6. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering at the end thereof adjacent said free end of said second section is tapered to form a portion having the shape of a rectangular based truncated pyramid, said portion concealing said constriction.

7. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said constriction is made in the direction of a lesser axis of said elliptical cross-section of said tube, the walls of said tube at said constriction in the direction of the greater axis of said elliptical cross-section being outwardly bulged.

8. A manual percussion tool including the handle as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a striking head placed on said handle; and a wedge insertable into said free end of said second section to force the walls of said tube at said constriction outwardly when said striking head is placed on said handle.

1 9. A manual percussion tool as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a hardenable plastic material insertable into a space formed between the exterior of said handle and the interior of said striking head. 

1. A handle for manual percussion tools of the type having a striking head, said handle comprising: a core element formed of a metal tube, said tube throughout is length having a substantially elliptical cross-section, said tube having first and second sections of substantially equal length, said first section having a larger transverse dimension than said second section, said first and second sections being joined by a stepped portion, said second section adjacent the free end thereof being deformed inwardly to form a constriction; a casing formed of elastic material positioned over said first section; and a covering positioned over the entire length of said second section, said covering being formed of a material having a rigidity different from that of said elastic material of said casing.
 2. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said casing is removably positioned over said first section.
 3. A handle as claimed in claim 2, wherein said elastic material of said casing is P.V.C.
 4. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering is immovably positioned over said second section.
 5. A handle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said material of said covering is acetate.
 6. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering at the end thereof adjacent said free end of said second section is tapered to form a portion having the shape of a rectangular based truncated pyramid, said portion concealing said constriction.
 7. A handle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said constriction is made in the direction of a lesser axis of said elliptical cross-section of said tube, the walls of said tube at said constriction in the direction of the greater axis of said elliptical cross-section being outwardly bulged.
 8. A manual percussion tool including the handle as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a striking head placed on said handle; and a wedge insertable into said free end of said second section to force the walls of said tube at said constriction outwardly when said striking head is placed on said handle.
 9. A manual percussion tool as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a hardenable plastic material insertable into a space formed between the exterior of said handle and the interior of said striking head. 